The Guide is Actually a Body-Switching Esper [BL]

"Um, good morning. I… would like to join the Union."

The receptionist behind the front desk lifted her head, giving Lane a friendly smile. "Are you a newly awakened Guide?"

"Yes… That's right."

"May I ask when did you have your awakening?"

"Uh… It was last night, I believe?"

"Then have you been tested at the Awakened Association yet?"

"No… I haven't yet…"

The receptionist nodded her head, before smiling apologetically. "I'm sorry Sir, but due to the current legal requirements, it is necessary for you to be officially recognized as a Guide by the Association before joining our Union."

"Oh…"

"But there is no need to worry! This is just a simple procedure," she quickly added upon seeing Lane's uneasy expression. "If you feel uncertain going on your own, we can assign one of our team members to assist you."

"O-oh? Um, but wouldn't that be too much trouble?"

"Of course not!" the receptionist immediately reassured. "It is our pleasure to help new Guides!"

"Is that so?" Lane smiled shyly, scratching his neck. "In that case… I would be truly thankful for the assistance…"

"Of course. Please take a seat for a moment, one of our assistants will be with you shortly." The receptionist smiled, pointing out to the small lounge.

Lane nodded, excusing himself, before taking a seat on one of the sofas as instructed.

Of course, on his side, the whole scene was just an act. Having been through it many times already, he knew the procedures well enough to practically be able to complete them in his sleep. There was no way he would be taken advantage of or tricked into any contracts he didn't want by the government - not that it was common to happen anyway these days. He didn't require any assistance.

But from the perspective of an ordinary student from a civilian family, becoming one of the Awakened was likely to be both exciting and intimidating at the same time. And the Guide Union's reputation was spread far and wide. With no friends or relatives to turn to, it was only natural that someone like Noah Murray would seek them first.

As for Lane, it was simply taking care of both the Union and the Association in one go. Plus, having a Union member with him sent a message: You better treat me right, because I know where to turn for help!

It didn't take long before a young man around Noah's age showed up. He was wearing the Union's uniform - white pants and a pale blue shirt with the Union's logo embroidered on the left pocket on his chest, with 'Theo' written on the name tag right above. There was nothing that could indicate his rank - the Union treated it as private information, as it could lead to potential discrimination.

Although he had been a member of the Union before, Lane didn't recognize him at all. It was nothing surprising though - after all, there were plenty of Guides in the Union Headquarters in the Capital. As Lane hasn't been too active in the Union in recent years, he was not familiar with most of the lower-ranking members.

Not that it mattered. The task this time was simple, there was practically no way the man could mess it up.

So, Lane just let Theo do his job.

Theo turned out to be a real chatterbox. He first explained everything about the Guide registration over a cup of coffee - which took so long that Lane was almost impressed how the man could describe such a basic procedure in such a long-winded way. And then he continued to chat as he led Lane to the car, driving to the Association's Headquarters.

Lane stopped listening halfway through. Between the two, he was undoubtedly more experienced in the field. He only smiled politely, nodding from time to time to play along. That's why he didn't even realize at first when he was asked a question.

Only after the silence lasted more than five seconds, did he pick up on it.

"Umm… Sorry?" he glanced at Theo with an apologetic smile on his face.

"Ah, I suppose you might not have given it a thought yet," Theo nodded, more to himself rather than Lane. "You don't even know your rank yet, and your options often depend on that… The big Guilds are only interested in high-rankers, after all, and the small ones rarely can afford any full-time Guides. So, unless you're at least a C, getting a decent contract with any of the Guilds might be difficult…"

"Still, you can always work freelance. It's pretty neat, actually. You can choose when and where you give the guiding, and you don't need to enter the dungeons if you don't want to! I honestly recommend you try it first, even if you get a contract offer from a Guild!"

Oh, so that's what it was all about.

Lane nodded his head, as if he was processing the information, before smiling shyly. "I was actually thinking about working for the government…"

Theo's eyes widened, and he couldn't help but take a quick glance at Lane despite driving. "The government? As in… the Awakened Association?"

"Um."

"Oh… Well, um, that is…" For the first time since they met, Theo seemed to be at a loss of words. It took a good moment before he managed to somehow pull himself together. He still fumbled a bit though, as he tried explaining, "You know… Um, I don't know what you've heard, but… The Association used to be a decent place to work… I mean, the pay was lower than in the Guilds, but it was quite… safe, you know? They didn't go to any difficult dungeons or anything."

"But with the recent events… I mean… Ugh. I shouldn't be saying this, but… You've heard about the recent dungeon break, right? A lot of the Awakened died during the subjugation, but the casualties were the worst among the Association's Guides."

"You understand what I'm trying to say, right? The Association cannot protect their Guides well."

Lane listened to all the explanations calmly. Naturally, the media didn't release any of this information, they just announced a total estimated death poll, lumping the Awakened and civilians together. But how could Lane, after being in the field for so many years, not be able to guess the truth behind the situation?

He didn't care for his life - at least as long as he was possessing someone else's body.

And he had his reasons for joining the Association. 

Naturally, he couldn't tell any of that to Theo. So he just fell silent, as if he was in shock.

Luckily, Theo also assumed that he was affected by the news, and remained considerately silent for the rest of the journey, giving Lane some space to gather his thoughts.

It wasn't long before they arrived at the Association Headquarters. As soon as they got out of the car, Theo reverted to his talkative self, as if being freed from the cramped space helped release his spirit as well. Lane half-listened to his chatter as his eyes casually scanned the familiar foyer…

Until his gaze fell on a tall, muscular man with neat, dark brown hair, talking on the phone as he headed out of the building.

Damien Lennox.